The Ghost Riders

by James J. Griffin

“I think Cindy would rather that, too,” Smoky answered, with a tired smile. “Let’s go home.”

  He put Midnight into a slow jog.

  ● ● ●

  After leaving Smoky at his ranch, the others continued on to Jim’s small horse ranch, the J-B Bar. It was full dark when they arrived. The only light in the house shone through the kitchen window. Hearing the approaching riders, Julia came onto the porch, holding a rifle. Charlie’s collie Pal was alongside her, barking a warning. As soon as he spotted them, Jim called out.

  “Julia! It’s me, Jim. Pal, be quiet. I’ve got Captain Storm and some friends with me.”

  “Jim!” Julia dropped the rifle and flew off the porch. Jim was out of the saddle before Sizzle came to a stop. He grabbed Julia and held her tightly. Pal bounded in circles around them, barking joyfully,

  “Jim. Jim, thank God you’re here,” she said. Tears streaked her cheeks. “I thought you’d never get back home.”

  “It’s going to be all right, Julia,” Jim said. He kissed her gently, then stroked her long brown hair. “Those hombres made one big mistake when they attacked San Leanna. We’ll be on their tails like ticks on a hound until we catch ’em.”

  “Oh, Jim. What happened was so awful. The Jarratts. And Mary Jane. How will we ever tell Charlie?”

  “Shh. Just take it easy as you can,” Jim said. “We’ve already come through town, and we saw what was done to it. I told everyone they could spend the night here. Let us care for the horses, then we’ll have all the time you need to talk. All right?”

  “All right, Jim. I made a pot of stew, and kept it warmed for you.” She glanced at the other men. “I hope it’s enough.”

  “It’ll be plenty,” Jim assured her. “These boys ridin’ with us are Chuck and Eddie McIlroy. They lost their folks to the same outfit. You know J.R. and Captain Storm, of course.”

  “It’s good to see you again, J.R.,” Julia said. “You also, Captain. And I’m pleased to meet you boys. You’re welcome here, naturally. I am very sorry about the loss of your parents.”

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Eddie answered.

  “Pish tosh. My name’s Julia.”

  “Thank you, Julia,” Chuck added. “We’re both obliged to your husband for lettin’ us ride with him and his pardners. Me’n my brother won’t rest easy until those men pay for what they did to our ma and pa, and so many other decent folks. And we don’t want to put you to any trouble. We can rustle up some grub for ourselves, and sleep outside, or in the barn.”

  “Nonsense. It’s no trouble at all,” Julia answered. “Where would you find anything to eat? Or stay? Certainly not back in town. And it’s far too late to do any hunting. There’s enough room in the house for all of you. Jim, go care for the horses. I’ll put a fresh pot of coffee on. By the time you’re done, I’ll have supper on the table.”

  “All right,” Jim said. “C’mon, boys, I’ll show you where to put your horses.”

  Sam, Jim’s aged paint, now retired, had been standing at the main corral’s fence, nickering to his rider. Now, as Jim approached, he whinnied a loud greeting.

  “Howdy, Sam,” Jim called. “I missed you too. Soon as I get the gear off Sizzle, I’ll be with you.”

  He opened the corral gate, so the horses could be led inside. Sam trotted over to him and buried his nose in Jim’s belly, then nuzzled his hip pocket.

  “Of course I saved you a peppermint, pal,” Jim said, with a laugh. “Here ya go.” He pulled two candies from his pocket, gave one to Sam, the other to Sizzle, then loosened Sizzle’s cinches and pulled off his saddle.

  “Just hang your gear on the fence,” he told the other men. “It’s gonna be a dry night, so they won’t get wet. There’s grain in a bin in the tack room, and I’ll fork down some hay soon as I finish with Sizzle and Sam here.”

  Once the horses were cared for, the men quickly cleaned up at the washbench behind the house, then headed inside to eat. Julia already had the table set.

  “Anythin’ we can help you with, Julia?” Jim asked.

  “Just sitting down and keeping from underfoot is the best help you can give me,” Julia answered. “You boys can hang your hats and gunbelts from those pegs. I’ll start dishing out the stew. And Jim, why didn’t you invite our guests to take a nice, hot bath? We do have the tub, you know.”

  “It slipped my mind, with everythin’ that’s happened, and bein’ in such a hurry,” Jim answered. “Besides, we’re all starved, and wanted to wash up fast as we could.”

  “That’s all well and good,” Julia said. “So that leaves it up to me. Captain Storm, J.R., Chuck, Eddie. Jim’s probably trying to keep it all to himself, but some months back I had a bathtub installed. It has hot and cold running water. Now, I’m certain you’d all like to take a nice, hot, soak, to get off some of the trail grime and ease your aches. There are enough washcloths, towels, and soap for all of you, so I hope you’ll take advantage. All I ask is you wipe down the tub after you’re finished, so it will be clean for the next man.”

  “A tub? With hot water, right in the house?” Chuck said. “I’ve never heard of such. I’ve gotta try it.”

  “Me, too,” Eddie added. “Thanks, Julia.”

  “That’s an offer I can’t pass up,” J. R. said.

  “I reckon I could stand to clean up a little more, too,” Captain Storm said.

  Jim sniffed. “I think you could stand to clean up a lot more’n just a little, Cap’n,” he said, laughing.

  “And I reckon you’re lookin’ to be knocked down to Private, Lieutenant,” Storm retorted.

  “Then it’s settled,” Julia said. “After supper, you can take baths. But now, will you please sit down so I can dish out the stew?”

  “All right, Julia,” Jim said. “Boys, those first two chairs are ours. Take any of the others you want.”

  “We always say Grace before meals,” Jim explained, once everyone was seated, and the stew dished out. “So, if you all will join me.”

  Everyone folded their hands and bowed their heads.

  “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.” Jim prayed.

  “Amen,” everyone answered.

  “And Lord,” Jim continued, “I’m gonna add a bit to my prayer tonight. First, I’d like to ask You to grant healing to everyone hurt by the Ghost Riders, eternal rest to those they have killed, and comfort to all the victims and their families. And Your help in bringing those Ghost Riders to justice. Amen.”

  “Amen.”

  “Now, dig in,” Jim said.

  Despite Julia’s worry there wouldn’t be enough of the leftover beef stew to go around, there was plenty, accompanied by bread and butter, and of course lots of hot, black coffee. Everyone had seconds.

  “Julia,” J.R. said, “That’s the best meal I’ve had since I left home. Of course, after eatin’ mostly your husband’s bacon and beans for the past weeks, just about anythin’ would taste good. But your stew was delicious.”

  “Thanks, J.R.,” Julia said.

  “Hey, I didn’t hear you complainin’ about my cookin’,” Jim protested. “As a matter of fact, you seemed to down quite a bit of it.”

  “That’s because it was eat your cookin’ or go hungry,” J.R. answered. “You might not’ve heard me complainin’, but you sure had to have heard my belly grumblin’… and why do you think I spent so much time behind the bushes?”

  “I’ve got to agree with Lieutenant Huggins,” Eddie said. “My apologies, Jim, but your food ain’t the best.”

  “Then next time, one of you can cook,” Jim said. “I didn’t notice anyone else volunteerin’ for the job.”

  “Enough,” Julia broke in. “J.R., I neglected to ask about your family. How’s Cora doing?”

  “She’s just fine, Julia,” J.R. answered. “Thank you for asking. She’s still teaching.”

  “How about your children?”

  “They’re both doing well. Laura’s very
happy, being married to Tanner and running their horse ranch. Dan’s off with the Rangers, down around Del Rio.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. Now, is anyone ready for apple pie?”

  “I think that question should be is anyone not ready for apple pie, Julia,” Jim said, with a laugh. “I reckon we’ll all have some.”

  “I reckon Jim’s right,” Captain Storm agreed.

  ● ● ●

  After supper, everyone went to the living room, where the attack on San Leanna was discussed in great detail. As the night wore on, each man took the opportunity to avail himself of the tub in the back room. Finally, close to midnight, everyone was ready to turn in. Chuck was the last man to bathe.

  “Boy howdy, that tub purely beats all,” he said, when he returned to the living room.

  “It sure does,” Eddie agreed. “I’ve never seen the likes of it. Hot water and everythin’, piped right inside the house. We’re much obliged, Julia.”

  “You’re more than welcome,” Julia answered.

  “Mebbe now I can finally get to take my bath,” Jim said.

  “Jim, you can take a bath anytime you like, whenever you’re home,” Julia said. “Our guests can’t. As soon as I have them settled for the night, you can take yours.”

  “Which is exactly what I plan on doin’,” Jim said.

  “Chuck and Eddie, you two boys can sleep in our son Charlie’s room,” Julia said. “His bed’s already made up. Captain Storm, you can have the sofa. I’ll get some blankets for you and J.R. J.R., I’m sorry, but you’ll either have to sleep in Jim’s chair, or on the floor.”

  “The floor will be fine,” J.R. assured her.

  “I’ll get an extra blanket, and a pillow, so you’ll be a bit more comfortable,” Julia answered.

  Soon, everyone was settled for the night. Jim took his bath, then he and Julia retired to their room.

  “See, it wasn’t so bad after all, having to wait for you bath,” Julia said. “This way, you didn’t have to get dressed again, then undress all over.”

  “I guess,” Jim said. “But it was a mighty lonesome one.”

  “Jim! You know I couldn’t take a bath with you… not with people in the house.”

  “I don’t see why not,” Jim answered.

  “Go on with you, Jim Blawcyzk,” Julia said. “You know perfectly well why not. Now, come to bed.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Jim knelt down, said his evening prayers, then slipped into bed, alongside his wife. He drew her close and kissed her.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” he said. “Then, when I got the wire from Captain Storm… He said you and Cindy were safe, but that didn’t help much. I had to see for myself. And he never mentioned Mary Jane, until we got to Austin. I still don’t know for certain how badly she’s hurt. The cap’n wouldn’t tell me.”

  “I can’t tell you a whole lot either,” Julia said. “She was very lucky, actually. Some men found her in the street, under a counter that had fallen on her, and was covered with rubble. The counter is what saved her. It protected her from the falling debris. However, both her legs are broken, so is her right arm, she’s got several fractured ribs, internal injuries, and a bad concussion. But worst of all, she’s blind.”

  “Blind?”

  “Yes, blind. Doctor Watson isn’t certain whether or not she’ll regain her sight. It depends on what the damage is that’s causing her blindness, whether it’s pressure from swelling of the brain, or the eyes themselves, that may go down, just bruising, or permanent damage to the optic nerve. Doctor Watson says there’s nothing more to be done. All we can do is wait… and pray.”

  “And hope Charlie doesn’t go completely loco when he finds out what happened,” Jim said. “I don’t know if it’ll be worse him not findin’ out until he gets home, or if Cap’n Storm had been able to reach him, so he already knew. At least that way, he’d have had some warnin’. And what about Josie Montrose, Ty’s gal? What happened to her?”

  “Josie’s fine. So’s her family,” Julia said. “They were visiting kin over to Buda, so they weren’t at home when those raiders struck.”

  “And the Tremblays?”

  “They’re all right too. Mark, Michelle, and Brianna are fine. The raiders came in the opposite direction from their place, so they were never threatened. And of course Ty’s off with Charlie. Charlie! Jim, exactly how hard do you think Charlie will take the news, once he’s found out what happened to Mary Jane?”

  “I’d imagine just exactly as hard as I did when you and him were nearly killed, by those raiders who were tryin’ to put me in the ground,” Jim answered. “That’s another reason I want to be in town as early as possible tomorrow mornin’. I’m sure Charlie’s not gonna head for Austin first, or here, but straight into San Leanna to be with Mary Jane. I want to make certain I’m in town when he gets back. It’ll just about kill him when he discovers what happened, and I don’t want to see him do anythin’ foolish.”

  “You mean like you did, riding off after those men left me and Charlie for dead, even though you were half dead yourself, Jim?” Julia said.

  “That’s precisely what I mean. Charlie’s gonna want to go after those men, there’s no question about that, but I want him ridin’ with me when he does. I don’t want him runnin’ off half-cocked and gettin’ himself killed.”

  “I’ll be going into town with you,” Julia said.

  “Of course. I expected that,” Jim answered. He yawned and stretched. “Reckon I’m more bushed than I realized. Guess I’d better try’n get some shut-eye. It’ll be sunup before we know it. Good night, Julia.”

  He kissed her cheek, then settled back on his pillow, his arm around her shoulder.

  “Good night, Jim.”

  Soon, Julia was asleep, but Jim lay there, staring at the ceiling, wondering what the morrow would bring. Would he finally come up with some clue that would lead him in the direction of the Ghost Riders, or would they just seem to disappear into thin air, as had happened so many times before? Would he be able to keep Charlie in line, hoping the boy would realize he would need to keep a cool head, and his wits about him, to have any hope of bringing the murderous gang to justice? Or perhaps Charlie would want to stay with Mary Jane while she recovered. If he did, that would be one less thing Jim would have to worry about. And while he hoped Charlie would, deep in his gut Jim knew better. Charlie was like him in so many ways. And, just as Jim had gone after the outlaws who had attacked his ranch, leaving Julia and Charlie for dead, Charlie would be certain to go after the men who had so badly injured his wife, and murdered her parents. And, just like his father, Charlie would not rest until those men were behind bars… or dead.

  Jim looked at Julia and sighed deeply. After weeks on the trail, his body ached for hers. Whenever he returned home, those long absences made their lovemaking that much sweeter, their passion more intense. Not this time, however. Not after the tragedy which had struck San Leanna. There would be no chance to make love to his wife, nor any rest, until the Ghost Riders were brought to justice. He rolled onto his side, and slipped into a troubled sleep.

  ● ● ●

  Before the gray light of the false dawn even touched the eastern horizon the next morning, the men had gulped down the huge breakfast which Julia cooked, the ranch’s stock was fed, and the horses were saddled. Julia had hitched Ben and Jerry, the draft team, to a buckboard, which she’d loaded with food and supplies people in the burned out town would need, and would drive into San Leanna. The dew was still dimpling the grass, the morning mist still rising, and the coming sunrise just beginning to paint the eastern sky pink and rose when they rode away from the J-B Bar.

  “Jim,” Captain Storm said, as they headed for town, “I know I’m the ranking officer here, as well as your commanding officer; however, I gave you the job of tracking down the Ghost Riders. That hasn’t changed just because I’m here. This is still your investigation, so you’re still in charge. And, since it’s your town that was attacked
, I figure it’s only right you and Smoky should talk to your neighbors, and get what information you can. They’ll probably open up more to you two than me, or anyone else.”

  “I appreciate that, Cap’n,” Jim answered. “Of course, my first stop’s gonna be at Doc Watson’s, to see how Mary Jane is doin’.”

  “I wouldn’t have thought anythin’ else,” Storm said.

  After stopping at Smoky’s, to get him and pick up his wife, who would be helping Julia with her mission, they rode in silence the rest of the way to San Leanna, the only sounds the clopping of the horses’ hooves, the jingling of bits, harness, and spurs, and the rattling of the wagon. When they reached town, a half hour after sunrise, it was already bustling with activity, as the survivors of the Ghost Riders’ raid continued to remove debris and rebuild. Joe Jones, who owned the hardware store, had set up a tent to temporarily replace the burned-out shell that had been his business. Planks set on empty packing barrels and crates served as counters. Several freight wagons were pulled up, waiting to unload lumber, hardware, bolts, nails, and tools, everything which would be needed to start reconstructing the town. Josiah Stubbs, the town banker, had set up temporary quarters for the bank in his home.

  “Howdy, Jim, Smoky,” Jones yelled, as they rode past. “Heard you were in town. Now those Ghost Riders’ll have somethin’ to worry about. And they ain’t gonna kill our town. No sir, they sure ain’t.”

  Jim and Smoky returned his greeting, but kept their horses at a steady pace, as they headed for Doctor Watson’s office. When they reached it, Bert Kline was sitting on the porch, in a tilted back chair. The young Ranger cradled a rifle in his arms.

  “Mornin’, Bert,” Captain Stone said. “Everythin’ quiet?”

  “Mornin’, Cap’n, and everybody,” Bert answered. “Quiet as a church on Tuesday mornin’. I’m keepin’ my eye out for trouble, just in case, but I don’t expect none. Those raiders didn’t leave enough to make it worthwhile for any other renegades to come here.”

  “All right, Bert,” Storm said. “You go get yourself some breakfast, and some sleep. I’ll see you later.”

  “All right, Cap’n.” Bert wandered off in the direction of Mrs. Hastings’ boarding house, where he and Storm were staying. Jim and his partners dismounted and tied their horses, then Jim helped Julia from the buckboard.